ADHD – Foods to Eat and Avoid
It is a proven fact that the diet a person follows plays a significant role in them getting affected by attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Some foods are considered healthy and improve a person who has ADHD, while some foods should be completely avoided.
Let us take a look at the foods to eat and avoid to manage ADHD:
Foods to eat
- High proteins
Healthcare professionals instruct those who have ADHD to increase their protein intake in their daily diet. Now we all know that proteins are good for our health, but they are also critical in helping people with ADHD. This is because having a protein-rich diet helps improve a person’s concentration and enhances the medications’ effects that people have ADHD are taking.
- Carbohydrates
Complex carbohydrates are also considered to be a significant improvement for those who have ADHD. This is why people who have ADHD should include tangerines, oranges, apples, pears, grapefruits, and kiwis in their diet. These items help in improving the sleeping habits of those who have ADHD.
- Nutritional supplements
It is quite common for healthcare professionals to push people who have ADHD to take mineral and vitamin supplements every day. However, the dosage of these supplements must be under the supervision of the healthcare professional.
Foods to avoid
- Caffeine and soda
Anyone who has ADHD should cut out soda from their diet. Soda has certain ingredients in it, particularly bad for those who have ADHD, for instance, caffeine and high-fructose corn syrup. Caffeine and excessive sugar intake are two significant causes that increase the lack of focus and hyperactivity in people with ADHD.
- Candy
Too much candy is not good for anyone. This is because it has a lot of artificial colors and excessive amounts of sugar in it. These are two ingredients that are considered harmful to those who have ADHD as they alleviate the symptoms. The main symptom that gets triggered is hyperactivity.
- Frozen vegetables and fruits
This might be confusing since we have listed fruits and vegetables as healthy, which they are, but certain frozen brands could contain artificial colors. This is why you should be very particular about the labels you are picking up. Frozen foods are responsible for increasing ADHD symptoms.
- Energy drinks
Kids and teens love energy drinks. It seems like the perfect drink to enjoy after a day of running around when they are finally exhausted. But energy drinks include artificial sweeteners, sugar, caffeine, and certain stimulants that are major causes of worsening ADHD symptoms.
So, these are the foods to eat and avoid to manage ADHD.